ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded a total of 14,182 new HIV infections in 2025, averaging approximately 1,182 cases per month, according to official figures compiled by federal health authorities.
The data underscores a persistent and steady spread of the virus, signalling that HIV transmission in the country is no longer sporadic but has settled into a sustained pattern.
Monthly infection figures remained consistently high throughout the year, rarely dipping below the 1,000 mark.
This stability suggests a continuous baseline of transmission rather than isolated outbreaks. The lowest number of reported cases was 1,016 in March, while the highest monthly total reached 1,443 in July.
A detailed breakdown shows that January recorded around 1,145 cases, followed by 1,082 in February and 1,016 in March.
The numbers began to climb again in April with 1,109 cases, increasing further to 1,189 in May and approximately 1,254 in June.
The second half of the year saw a more pronounced rise, with July peaking at 1,443 cases, August reporting about 1,273, September 1,380, and October 1,336.
The trend remained elevated towards the year’s end, with November recording roughly 1,212 cases and December closing at around 1,243 infections.
Provincial data reveal that the burden of HIV is heavily concentrated in a few regions. Punjab accounted for the largest share with 7,920 cases, representing more than half of the national total.
Sindh followed with 3,859 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 1,383 infections. The Islamabad Capital Territory documented 498 cases, and Balochistan recorded 472.
In contrast, smaller regions reported significantly fewer cases, with Azad Jammu and Kashmir registering 43 infections and Gilgit-Baltistan only seven.
However, officials caution that these figures may not accurately reflect the true scale of the problem due to limited testing capacity and weaker surveillance systems in these areas.
Health officials noted that the high concentration of cases in Punjab and Sindh is partly attributable to larger populations and better detection mechanisms.
However, it also points to entrenched transmission patterns, particularly in densely populated districts where unsafe medical practices and behavioural risk factors remain prevalent.
The demographic distribution of infections indicates a widening spread beyond traditionally identified high-risk groups. Adult men accounted for 8,386 cases, making up nearly 60 per cent of the total.
Adult women represented 3,314 cases, suggesting that HIV is increasingly affecting the broader population. Additionally, 734 cases were reported among transgender individuals, a group that remains especially vulnerable due to social stigma and limited access to healthcare services.
A particularly alarming aspect of the data is the number of infections among children. A total of 1,748 paediatric cases were recorded, including 1,065 boys and 683 girls.
Officials attribute most of these infections to unsafe medical practices rather than behavioural transmission.
The reuse of syringes, contaminated medical equipment, poor infection control protocols, and unsafe blood transfusions have been identified as the primary causes – issues that have surfaced repeatedly in previous outbreaks but remain inadequately addressed.
While urban centres continue to report a larger share of cases due to better testing facilities, the presence of infections in smaller towns and rural areas suggests silent transmission in under-served regions.
In such areas, low awareness levels and weak regulatory oversight of healthcare providers contribute to the ongoing spread of the virus.
Officials acknowledged that expanded screening efforts have improved detection rates. However, they warned that the consistently high monthly average highlights systemic shortcomings in prevention strategies.
Key concerns include insufficient regulation of private healthcare facilities and the continued prevalence of unsafe injection practices.
The data also reinforces fears that HIV is no longer confined to specific high-risk populations. The growing number of cases among women, children, and the general population is complicating containment efforts and indicating a broader public health challenge.
For comparison, approximately 13,000 HIV cases were reported in 2024. The increase to 14,182 cases in 2025 suggests a continuing upward trajectory rather than any sign of stabilisation, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current prevention and control measures.
Unsafe Practices Driving HIV Rise in Pakistan
Public health experts, particularly officials from the National AIDS Control Programme, attribute the rising infections to unsafe medical practices, low awareness, and gaps in regulatory oversight.
International bodies such as the World Health Organization and UNAIDS have also repeatedly flagged unsafe injections, contaminated blood transfusions, and stigma as key drivers of HIV transmission in countries like Pakistan.
